Israelis, Palestinians ignore compromise I

　　Despite President Clinton's calls to compromise and not hold out for the impossible, Israelis and Palestini ans voiced their opposition to the US-sponsored bluepri nt for a negotiated settlement.

　　Israelis turned out in force against the concession s (让步) required by Clinton's Mideast peace plan, surrou nding the high stone walls of Jerusalem's Old City to p rotest a proposal to cede (放弃) its disputed holy site.

　　"Jerusalem, I pledge my allegiance to you," banners and light projections on the walls declared, looming ov er a crowd of at least 100,000 that included many wrapp ed in or waving Israel's Star of David flag. Thousands of police mobilized to keep order, and the guardian of an Islamic shrine at the site, fearing an incursion (袭击 ) by the demonstrators, denounced (谴责) the rally as "pr ovocative."

　　The Palestinian leadership announced that they oppo sed drafting a "declaration of principles " based on Cl inton's proposals.

　　With less than two weeks left in the White House an d the odds heavily against a peace deal, Clinton called Israel to divide the land it holds with the Palestinian s and urged Palestinian leaders to compromise and "not hold out for the impossible more."